2011 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

Community Tasting Notes (77) Avg Score: 90.2 points

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  9/6/2023 - Asull2k wrote: 90 Points

  Double decanted with stir 2 hrs prior to serving, no change over a 2 hour dinner. Medium garnet and ruby color. Dried herbs, dried raspberry on the nose. No real identifiable fruit but acid driven berry-like core, soil, tobacco on the palate with 35 sec finish. This was much closer to a regular Chateau Montelena cabernet than an Estate caliber wine. Paired fine with steak pasta but definitely lower QPR compared to other Montelena Estate vintages.

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  8/3/2023 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points

  Dark fruit on the nose and palate; red plum with air. Velvety texture. A lovely wine to enjoy while other vintages mature in the cellar, though this is every bit as worthy as others.

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  4/13/2023 - Sperls Likes this wine: 92 Points

  OldWines note is instructive. I was very happy with this wine for an “off” vintage. Not that there aren’t great CA cabs for less, but this drank very well with dark fruit, tar, medium finish and paired perfectly with grilled steak. Importantly, it was not a sweet fruit bomb that one often finds with much of CA cabs these days.

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  2/4/2023 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points

  For an “off-vintage” this is a delightful wine. Double decanted at 2pm and brought to a family gathering for Mom’s birthday. Mid weight in body, light but delightful nose is floral, with red and black fruit and some tobacco. Palate has decent acidity and low tannin. Moderately long finish. This just drinks nicely now and over the next 5 years or so.

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  3/12/2022 - lovemycab wrote: 91 Points

  Decanted and drank over a few hours. This is drinking ok. Nothing special as the really ripe fruits just aren't there. Tertiary notes starting to appear and the wine has enough acidity to keep aging just not sure it will make much difference. Drank second night and a week later after removing from vacuum system with similar notes.

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View all 77 Community Tasting Notes

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